Multi-million pound plan to ‘revitalise and transform’ Batley

A multi-million pound plan to ‘revitalise and transform’ Batley town centre has been announced.

Kirklees Council hopes to create a Housing and Enterprise Growth Zone in North Kirklees which it said will lead to a “transformational economic overhaul” of the area over the next 20 years.

If approved, the proposals, which include thousands of new homes, are expected to generate around £400m for the district and create up to 9,000 jobs.

The council’s cabinet discussed the plans at a meeting on Tuesday and agreed for the plans to be sent out to consultation.

A report to the meeting said the scheme would provide major employment opportunities linked to housing growth, improve road and rail transport links and revitalise town centres with increased housing, more shops and retail units and better leisure facilities.

Batley Councillor Shabir Pandor said: “This is very positive for Batley. It is all part of the package for regenerating and transforming the area.

“It will mean better infrastructure, better connectivity and better provisions for people living in the town.”

Coun Pandor said the town needed to do more to take advantage of its links with Leeds.

He said: “An important point people need to realise is that we are only 15 minutes from Leeds and if we can take advantage of that then we can revitalise our town.

“This plan is an opportunity to create a new brand for North Kirklees and within that create a new brand for Batley town centre.

“We now need to make sure the scheme does deliver what it’s intended too and I am confident it will because I know for a fact there are entrepeneurs and businesses who want to invest in Batley.

“We now need to create the right environment for them and I believe that is what this plan does.”